Delish Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Puppy Chow

Okay, hear me out: puppy chow, but with a sneaky protein boost so it hits that snack-dessert sweet spot and keeps you from demolishing the whole bowl in five seconds. It’s the same crunchy cereal tossed in melty chocolate and peanut butter, then showered in a powdered sugar snowstorm — but we blend in protein powder so it’s not just sugar rush and regret. It’s madness. It’s nostalgic. It’s ridiculously easy. And it’s the thing everyone hovers over at parties pretending they’re “just grabbing a piece.”

My husband calls this “gym snack trail mix,” which is hilarious because it’s still dessert, but also kind of true. We make a batch on Sundays and somehow it disappears by Wednesday, thanks to post-school munchies and that 9 p.m. “just a handful” lie we tell ourselves. This version became a staple after I tried adding vanilla protein powder to the sugar coating and it stuck perfectly. A little extra oomph, still wildly delicious, and the kids have no idea.

How to Make It

Grab the biggest bowl you own — bigger than you think — and dump in 9 cups of crispy rice cereal. In a microwave-safe bowl (or a small pot if you’re anti-microwave), melt 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips with 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter and 4 tablespoons butter. Go low and slow; burnt chocolate is heartbreak. Stir until glossy, then splash in 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Pour the chocolate river over the cereal and fold gently — like you’re tucking it in, not smashing it. In a big zip-top bag (or two), combine 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar with 2/3 cup protein powder (vanilla or chocolate), and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder if you like it extra chocolatey. Scoop the coated cereal into the bag, seal, and shake like you’re in a 90s workout video. Rattle it until every nook is dusted. Spread the whole thing on parchment to set. If you’re impatient like me, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes. Then try not to eat half while “quality checking.”

✔Ingredient Notes

– Rice Chex (or Crispix): The squares catch all the chocolate. Off-brand works — just pick something light and crisp, not dense.
– Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Sweet spot between milky and dark. If you use dark (70%), add a smidge more powdered sugar.
– Creamy peanut butter: Classic. Natural PB works but can be oily — stir it really well or the coating gets weird.
– Butter (or coconut oil): Thins the chocolate so it coats evenly. Coconut oil adds a subtle coconut vibe.
– Vanilla + fine sea salt: Tiny details, big payoff. The salt wakes everything up.
– Protein powder: Whey or plant both work. Vanilla blends seamlessly; chocolate is richer. Avoid super gritty brands.
– Powdered sugar: The classic “snow.” You can blitz regular sugar into powder in a blender if you’re desperate.
– Cocoa powder (optional): Cuts the sweetness and deepens chocolate flavor. I like Dutch-process here.
– Mix-ins (optional): Mini pretzels, roasted peanuts, or mini M&Ms after it cools. Add crunch, color, chaos.

✔Recipe Steps

1. Line a sheet pan with parchment and add 9 cups cereal to a huge mixing bowl.
2. Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together until smooth; stir in vanilla and salt.
3. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and fold gently to coat without crushing.
4. Combine powdered sugar, protein powder, and cocoa in a large zip-top bag.
5. Add coated cereal to the bag, seal, and shake until every piece is evenly dusted.
6. Spread on the lined pan to set 10–15 minutes; add optional mix-ins once cool.

What to Serve It With

– Movie night and fizzy drinks.
– After-school snacks alongside apple slices because balance.
– Game day bowls next to salty pretzels and peanuts.
– Coffee. I said what I said — the mocha vibe is unreal.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t scorch the chocolate. Microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring each time.
– Too thick? Add 1–2 teaspoons coconut oil to loosen the chocolate.
– Coating looks patchy? You need more sugar/protein powder blend or you didn’t shake long enough.
– Let it cool before adding M&Ms or they’ll melt and cry rainbow tears.
– Do not feed to dogs. Despite the name, this is a people snack.

✔Storage Tips

Room temp in an airtight container: 4–5 days and it stays crunchy. Fridge: gets a little snappier and I kinda love it cold. Freezer: up to 2 months — eat straight from the bag like a goblin at 7 a.m. for “breakfast.” No shame. If it clumps, just break it up with your hands and carry on.

✔Variations and Substitutions

– Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini (tahini’s more roasty-bitter, but good with extra honey in the melt).
– Different cereal: Crispix, Corn Chex, or even popcorn in the mix — just keep the total “crunch” around 9 cups.
– Chocolate twist: Half milk, half dark for a balanced vibe. White chocolate works but is sweeter and trickier to melt.
– Protein choices: Whey blends smoothest; pea/rice plant blends work but can be a touch chalky — sift first.
– Sweetness tweaks: Reduce powdered sugar to 1 cup and bump cocoa powder to 3 tablespoons for less sweet. Honey ↔ sugar isn’t a 1:1 swap for the dusting, but you can add 1–2 teaspoons honey or maple to the melt and cut the sugar slightly.
– Butter ↔ coconut oil: Either. Coconut oil firms up more in the fridge.
– Add-ins: Salted peanuts, pretzel bits, or toasted coconut. Toss in after cooling so colors and crunch stay bright.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Puppy Chow

A crunchy, chocolatey puppy chow boosted with protein powder for a sweet snack that satisfies and fuels. Classic muddy buddies flavor with a silky chocolate-peanut butter coating and a protein-packed sugar dusting.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 9 cup Rice Chex cereal
• ▢ 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ▢ 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
• ▢ 0.25 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 0.25 teaspoon fine salt
• ▢ 0.75 cup whey protein powder chocolate or vanilla
• ▢ 1.5 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder optional for extra chocolate flavor

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Place the Rice Chex in a large mixing bowl. In a large zip-top bag, combine the powdered sugar, protein powder, and cocoa powder (if using), then seal and shake to mix; set aside.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave for 0.5 minute, stir, then microwave in 0.25 minute bursts, stirring after each, until smooth and glossy.
• Stir in vanilla extract and salt until fully incorporated.
• Pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Gently fold with a spatula until every piece is evenly coated.
• Let the coated cereal cool for 2.0 minutes so it is warm but not hot, then transfer it to the prepared zip-top bag. Seal and shake vigorously until all pieces are well coated.
• Spread the puppy chow onto a parchment-lined sheet and let it set for 10.0 minutes until dry to the touch.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5.0 days, or refrigerate for a firmer set.

Notes

For best coating, avoid overheating the chocolate mixture. If using natural peanut butter, ensure it is well-stirred. You can substitute part of the powdered sugar with additional protein powder for a less sweet finish. Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.